News from June 2024
Liberty Justice Center on automatic license plate readers lawsuit: 'The Fourth Amendment was written long before we had the technology to track peoples’ movements'
A public interest law firm is suing Illinois law enforcement officials for monitoring the movements of Illinoisans with automatic license plate readers (ALPRs).
Former Employee Sues Major Party Supply Company Over Biometric Data Violations
A former employee has filed a class-action lawsuit against Party City Holdco Inc., alleging violations of Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The plaintiff claims that the company collected and stored voiceprints without proper consent or disclosure, exposing employees to significant privacy risks.
Former Security Officer Sues City of Chicago Over Disability Discrimination
Marcos Sanchez has filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago alleging disability discrimination and retaliation after nearly ten years working as a security officer. Represented by Arthur R. Ehrlich from Goldman & Ehrlich law firm in Chicago (Case No.: 24-cv-4885), Sanchez seeks over $660K in damages including lost wages and emotional distress compensation.
Former Employee Alleges Amazon.com Services LLC of Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
A former Amazon employee has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation during his tenure at the company. The plaintiff claims he faced a hostile work environment due to homophobic slurs from a colleague and inadequate responses from Human Resources leading up to his wrongful termination.
Former Employee Alleges Age Discrimination Against Logistics Company
Mary Harter has filed a lawsuit against Hub Group Inc., claiming she faced age discrimination and harassment leading up to her termination after nearly 24 years with the company. The case brings attention to alleged violations of federal protections against age-based employment discrimination.
Celebrating Pride Month: A Journey Through History and Chicago’s Unique Celebration
This month, join HSPRD in honoring and celebrating the history and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community and continuing the fight for equality throughout and beyond Pride Month.
de Chavez Receives Luminary Award
HeplerBroom’s Tanya de Chavez recently received a 2024 City Colleges of Chicago Luminary Award.
Truck Driver Alleges Racial Discrimination Against Travel Centers of America
A semi-truck driver has filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination at a travel center operated by TA Operating LLC in Hampshire, Illinois. The plaintiff claims he was subjected to hostile treatment and false imprisonment after questioning repair charges on his vehicle.
Consumer Sues Outdoor Cooking Equipment Manufacturer Over Defective Electric Smokers
A new class action lawsuit has been filed against Char-Broil, LLC alleging that their digital electric smokers pose an electric shock hazard to users due to a manufacturing defect. Filed by Monica Fares in Illinois federal court on June 12, 2024, the suit seeks compensatory damages among other reliefs for affected consumers nationwide following a major product recall earlier this year.
Plaintiff accuses Illinois Department of Human Services of Sex-Based Discrimination
A former mental health technician has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Department of Human Services alleging sex-based discrimination and retaliation following a traumatic workplace incident involving sexual assault between residents at Jack Mabley Development Center in Dixon, IL.
Pharmaceutical Giants Sue Generic Drug Maker Over Alleged Patent Infringement
AbbVie Inc., along with its subsidiary Allergan Pharmaceuticals International Limited have filed a lawsuit against Fresenius Kabi USA LLC alleging patent infringement related to their antibiotic drug AVYCAZ. The plaintiffs seek judicial intervention to prevent Fresenius from manufacturing a generic version before their patents expire.
Labor Unions Sue Major Railroad Company Over Alleged Contract Violations
A coalition of labor unions has filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific Railroad Co., alleging bad faith modifications to a collective bargaining agreement concerning work-rest cycles for engineers. The unions seek judicial intervention to prevent these changes and maintain current working conditions until proper negotiations can occur.
Municipal Employee Alleges Retaliation by Local Officials Over Free Speech Dispute
Dwayne Thrash has filed a lawsuit against Thornton Township officials alleging wrongful termination in retaliation for exercising his First Amendment rights by opposing their plans for administrative changes within the township school board.
Plaintiff Property Owner Sues City Over Amended Tenant Relocation Ordinance
BBLI Edison LLC has filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago's Department of Housing over an amended ordinance requiring hefty tenant relocation payments following foreclosures. The plaintiff claims this mandate is unconstitutional and seeks various forms of judicial relief.
Illinois Resident Sues Major Automotive Retailer Over ADA Violations
An Illinois resident has filed a lawsuit against AutoZone Inc., alleging multiple violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at one of its Chicago locations. The plaintiff seeks court orders compelling compliance and compensation for legal costs.
Sweet Futures accuses T.C.B.C., EURL et al., of manipulating cotton options market
Sweet Futures has filed a lawsuit against T.C.B.C., EURL along with other defendants alleging manipulation in the cotton options market resulting in over $1 million in damages. The case involves accusations of fraud and conspiracy with significant implications for commodity trading practices.
Airline Faces Lawsuit Over Severe Turbulence Injuries
A couple has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines after experiencing extreme turbulence on an international flight that resulted in severe injuries. The plaintiffs accuse the airline of negligence and seek compensatory damages for physical injuries and emotional distress.
Skyway operators have overcharged drivers since 2019, class action says
The lawsuit says the Skyway operators have violated their 99-year lease with the city of Chicago and have exceeded even the inflation-adjusted toll increases they have been allowed under the deal, allegedly overcharging motorists by more than $3 million collectively in the past five years
Accounting firm faces reversal over negligence claims in payroll processing dispute
An Illinois appellate court has reversed a previous dismissal in favor of an accounting firm accused by EarthMed LLC of negligence related to payroll processing errors leading to significant financial damages.
Federal judge turns off biometrics class action vs Amazon over employee Covid 'thermal scans'
Noting in federal PREP Act contains exempts plaintiff claimed